H .  M..  S .   W E S T C O T T   ( D 4 7 )

 

W-Class destroyer ordered from Denny of Dumbarton under the 1916-17 Programme In the 10th Order for W-Class destroyers In December 1916. The ship was laid down on 30th March 1917 and launched on 14th February 1918 as the first RN warships to carry the name. Build was completed on 12th April 1918 and she served in the 13th Destroyer Flotilla based at Scapa Flow. After the Armistice she was one of the escorts for the German Fleet during their passage to surrender at Scapa Flow. During the period August to November 1919 this ship was deployed in Baltic operations against the Bolsheviks. She was sent to the Mediterranean in February 1920 and used for bombardment of Turkish Nationalist positions. On return to UK In August 1920 she Joined the Home Fleet in which she served until 1935. Before Joining the China Station In 1936 for duty with the 4th Submarine Flotilla she was refitted at Devonport. The after (Y) gun and one set of torpedo tubes were removed with a winch fitted for recovery of torpedoes fired by submarines during trials.. ASDIC equipment was Installed for detection of submerged submarines. After a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign In December 1941 the ship was adopted by the civil community of Morecambe and Heysham, Lancashire.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

NORWAY  1940 - ATLANTIC  1940-43 - MALTA CONVOYS 1942 - NORTH AFRICA  1942-43 - ARCTIC  1943-45 - ENGLISH CHANNEL  1943 - NORMANDY  1944

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge : On a Field  Blue, a Trident Gold between

two lotus flowers, Silver.

 

M o t t o

Quo duxit Sequimur  :   ' Where he led we follow '.

 

D e t a i l s  o f   W a r    S e r v i c e

 

1 9 3 9

 

September             Under refit for Fleet and escort duties. Y-gun and after torpedo tubes refitted.

 

October                  Took passage to Singapore for Interception of German merchant ships attempting to

to                            return to Europe and surveillance of ships In neutral harbours

December

 

1 9 4 0

 

January                  Nominated for convoy escort duty.

                28th        Sailed for Malta from Singapore as escort for Floating Dock being towed to UK.

 

February                During passage nominated for escort of military convoy from Aden to Suez.

                                Detached from floating dock and took passage to Aden.

                8th          Joined escort for Convoy US1

                                (Note : US1 was taking ANZAC troops to Middle East from Australia.)

                11th        Passage to Malta from Suez.

                14th        On arrival in Malta deployed with HM Aircraft Carrier GLORIOUS in Mediterranean

 

March                    Mediterranean deployment in continuation.

 

April                       Recalled to UK for escort duties.

                9th          Part of escort for HM Aircraft Carriers GLORIOUS and ARK ROYAL during passage to

                                Gibraltar.

                                Detached on arrival and took passage to Devonport..

                19th        Boiler cleaning at Devonport.

                                On completion took passage to join Home Fleet for duties off Norway.

                                Deployed on patrol and escort on arrival.

                30th        Embarked troops at Andalsnes with HM Destroyer WALKER for transfer to H M Cruiser

                                SHEFFIELD (Operation ALPHABET).

 

May

                1st           Embarked rearguard of Royal Marines from Andalsnes during final stage of allied

                                evacuation.

                                Under sustained air attacks

                7th          Deployed in support of attack on Narvik and for Fleet duties off Norway

                to            (For details of the disastrous operations in Norway see NARVIK by D Macintyre, THE

                31st         DOOMED EXPEDITION by J Adams, ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by

                                Corelli Bamett, CARRIER GLORIOUS by J Winton and Naval Staff History (HMSO 2001).

                                Pennant Number changed to 147 to conform with changes introduced for all RN ships.)

 

June                        Escorted HM Battleship WARSPITE during return passage.

                                (Note : One source records also HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL.)

                                On release took passage for repair

                30th        Nominated for duty in Western Approaches on completion of repair at Rosyth.

 

July

                4th          Joined 11th Destroyer Flotilla at Devonport for Atlantic convoy escort.

                5th          Deployed with HM Destroyer WHIRLWIND in search for U-Boat In SW Approaches.

                                After HIS WHIRLWIND was torpedoed by U34 in position 120 miles west of Lands End

                                rescued survivors from stricken ship. 57 men were lost.

                                Sank hulk by torpedo on completion of rescue.

 

August                  Part of escort for Convoys OG40, HG40, OB (201*) and SC(2*)

                                (* These convoy identities need confirmation.)

 

September

                17th        Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard Devonport .

 

October                  Under refit

 

November              Nominated for service with 5th Escort Group In Western Approaches.

                9th          On completion of post refit trials took passage to Join Group at Liverpool.

 

December              Deployed with Group for Atlantic convoy defence.

                                Part of escort for Convoys OB (253*), HG48 and G348.

                                (Note : OB identity to be confirmed.)

 

1 9 4 1

 

January                  Part of escort for Convoy SC18 with ships of Group.

                28th        During escort of later convoy with HM Destroyers SCIMITAR., SKATE, HM Corvettes

                                BLUEBELL and CANDYTUFT sustained structural damage and flooding of No 1 Boiler

                                Room in collision with HMS BLUEBELL.

                                (Note : Identity of convoy to be confirmed.)

                                Returned to Londonderry with HMS BLUEBELL for temporary repair.

                                Taken in hand for repair at Liverpool.

 

February                Under repair.

to                            Completion delayed by air raids and extent of damage.

March

 

April                       Nominated for transfer to 7th Escort Group based at Liverpool on completion.

                29th        On completion of post repair trials Joined Group based at Liverpool for Atlantic convoy

                                defence.

                                Embarked film crew to take pictures of depth Charge explosions for forthcoming production.

 

May                       Atlantic convoy escort In continuation.

23rd        Passage to Iceland to collect convoy.

                24th        Detached to Join Home Fleet ships in search for German Battleship BISMARCK and the

                                cruiser PRINZ EUGEN.

               26th        Returned to Liverpool when released from operation.

 

June                       Deployed with Group for Atlantic Convoy escort.

 

July                        Atlantic convoy escort deployment in continuation..

               18th        Under attack by Focke Wulf aircraft during which ss PILAR DE LARRINGA was damaged

                               by direct hit and by aircraft which crashed after hitting Barrage Balloon cable.

                               Provided assistance to firefighting on board mercantile and embarked injured.

                               (Note : Air attack took place In position 54.22N 16.53W.)

                               Detached to escort mercantile to Swansea.

                               Passage to Liverpool for repair.

 

August                  Following damage repair fitted with prototype anti-submarine mortar (HEDGEHOG)

                                in place of forward (A) gun mounting.

                25th        On completion nominated for trials of HEDGEHOG.

 

September             Carried out trials of HEDGEHOG in Irish Sea.

                                Seaman Injured by premature firing of dummy projectile.

                                (For details of new weapons and tactics see SEEK AND STOKE by W Hackmann and for

                                development and use of radar, RADAR AT SEA by D Howse).

                                Nominated for service with 13th Destroyer Flotilla at Gibraltar after refit.

 

October                  Attached to 1st Escort Group as Senior Officer's ship.

                                Part of escort for Convoy (ON28) during passage to Gibraltar.

 

November              Under refit at Devonport. Degaussing equipment fitted

                                Bofors AA mounting fitted.

 

December              On completion of Post Refit trials took passage to Join military convoy WS14.

                9th          Part of escort for WS14 on departure from Clyde with HM Destroyers BEVERLEY, NEWARK

                                LANCASTER, SHERWOOD, CROOME, WITHERINGTON and HM Auxiliary AA Ship

                                ULSTER QUEEN.

                12th        Detached from WS14 and made independent passage to join Convoy HG76 as escort.

                                (Note : Unsuccessful attack on U-Boat in Bay of Biscay nay have been made on U451 during

                                its passage to enter Mediterranean but this submarine was sunk on 21st off Gibraltar.

                                See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp and HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)

                                HMS CROOME also detached from WS14 to joined Gibraltar Escort Force.

                                Detached from HG76 and took passage to Gibraltar.

                23rd        Joined Flotilla at Gibraltar for duty in Gibraltar Escort Force.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Deployed with HM Destroyers WI5HART, WRESTLER, VIDETTE and ANTELOPE.

                                Part of escort for HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS for Malta aircraft delivery.

                                Deployed In Atlantic with HM Aircraft Carriers EAGLE and ARGUS to providing cover

                                for passage of convoys.

                                Came under unsuccessful air attack.

                                Took passage from Gibraltar with HM Destroyers CROOME and EXMOOR to escort troop

                                ship LLANGIBBY CASTLE which had been damaged by U402 whilst in Convoy WS15 and

                                was at Horta, Azores.

 

February

                1st           Arrived at Horta and carries out an anti-submarine operation with HMS CROOME and HMS

                                EXMOOR against U-Boats waiting for LLANGIBBY CASTLE leave under tow of tug

                                THAMES for passage to Gibraltar.

                2nd         Rammed and sank U581 off Pico Island, Azores in position 38.24N 28.30W.

                                39 survivors rescued.

                                (For details see U-BOATS DESTROYED and HITLERS U-BOAT WAR.)

                                Escorted LLANGIBBY CASTLE under tow during passage to Gibraltar.

                6th          Arrived at Gibraltar and disembarked prisoners.

                7th          Taken in hand for repair at Gibraltar.

                                (Note :One of crew was killed by fall into dry dock and another died after an accident in Engine

                                Room during post refit trials.

 

March                    On completion of trials resumed deployment at Gibraltar with Flotilla.

 

April

                19th        Deployed with HM Destroyers WISHART, WRESTLER, VIDETTE and ANTELOPE of

                                Flotilla as escort for US Aircraft Carrier USS WASP during Malta aircraft delivery covered by

                                the ships of Force H as Force W (Operation CALENDAR).

                                (Note : Force W comprised HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Cruisers CAIRO and

                                CHARYBDIS with HM Destroyers INGLEFIELD, ITHURIEL, ECHO, PARTRIDGE,

                                US Destroyers LANG and MADISON.

                21st         Resumed Flotilla duties on completion of CALENDAR.

 

May

                8th          Part of screen for HMS RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE, USS WASP and HM Cruiser

                                CHARYBDIS with HM Destroyers ECHO, INTREPID, VIDETTE, PARTRIDGE, ITHUIEL,

                                WISHART, WRESTLER, ANTELOPE, GEORGETOWN, SALISBURY, US Destroyers

                                USS LANG and STERRET for Malta aircraft delivery (Operation BOWERY).

                10th        Resumed Flotilla duties on completion of BOWERY.

                17th        Deployed with HM Destroyers PARTRIDGE, ITHURIEL, ANTELOPE, WISHART,

                                WRESTLER and VIDETTE as screen for HMS EAGLE, HMS ARGUS and HMS

                                CHARYBDIS during Malta aircraft delivery (Operation LB).

                                Resumed Flotilla duties on release from LB.

 

June

                2nd         Detached for escort of HMS EAGLE for Malta aircraft delivery with HMS CHARYBDIS,

                                HM Destroyers WISHART. ITHURIEL, ANTELOPE and PARTRIDGE

                                (Operation STYLE).

                8th          Escorted HMS EAGLE for repeat Malta aircraft delivery with HM Cruisers CAIRO, HM

                                Destroyers PARTRIDGE, ITHURIEL, ANTELOPE and VIDETTE.

                                (Operation SALIENT).

                11th        Detached and joined HM Battleship MALAYA, HMS EAGLE, HMS ARGUS, HM Cruisers

                                KENYA, LIVERPOOL and CHARYBDIS, HM Destroyers ONSLOW, ICARUS and

                                ESCAPADE in Force W with ships of Flotilla for escort of Malta relief convoy

                                (Operation HARPOON – For details see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, THE

                                BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D MacIntyre and Naval Staff History).

                14th        Detached from Force W to escort HMS LIVERPOOL which had been damaged by torpedo in

                                air attacks on HARPOON convoy and was being towed to Gibraltar by HMS ANTELOPE.

                16th        In action against aircraft during which ship was hit by AA fire from HMS LIVERPOOL

                                causing three deaths and many injured.

                                Resumed Flotilla duties after arrival at Gibraltar.

                                (Note :Tow of HMS LIVERPOOL was taken over by THAMES.

                                Burial ceremony for those killed was carried out at sea from ship

 

July                         Deployed with Flotilla for local Atlantic convoy defence supporting Convoy HG85.

                1st           During patrol off Spanish coast arrested three Spanish fishing vessels off Great Shoal Bank.

                                (Note : Fishing vessels were SEGUARDO, PRIMIER ERRIQUE and MARIA LUISA),

                                Spanish trawlers had been suspected of providing information about convoy

                                movements to German agents and two of the arrested ships were found to have radio

                                equipment fitted which was suitable for this purpose).

                15th        Detached with HM Destroyers WRESTLER, ANTELOPE, VANSITTART and ITHURIEL as

                                destroyer screen for HMS EAGLE, HMS CHARYBDIS and HMS CAIRO during Malta aircraft

                                delivery. (Operation PINPOINT).

                20th        Repeat aircraft delivery screening duty with same ships (Operation INSECT).

 

August                  Flotilla duties in continuation.

                10th        Detached with HMS WRESTLER and HMS VIDETTE for escort of Malta relief convoy.

                                (Operation PEDESTAL - For details see PEDESTAL by P. Smith and above references).

                13th        Detached to escort damaged HMS VICTORIOUS and HMS RODNEY to Gibraltar and joined

                                by ships of Flotilla which had been despatched from Gibraltar.

                18th        Resumed Atlantic convoy escort and anti-submarine patrol duties with Flotilla when released

                                from PEDESTAL.

 

September             Atlantic duties with Flotilla based at Gibraltar in continuation

                                Deployed with HMS VIDETTE, HMS ITHURIEL and HMS PARTRIDGE is support of

                                Corvette in attacks on U-Boat.

                                (Special Note : An account is given in WATER. WATER EVERYWHERE by R Chapman of

                                the sinking of a U-Boat on an unknown date (P133).

                                This most distressing record carrot be substantiated in HITLER'S U-BOAT

                                WAR or in U-BOATS DESTROYED.

                                HMS ITHURIEL was under repair after damage caused when ramming an

                                Italian submarine during PEDESTAL and HMS PARTRIDGE was on passage

                                to Sheerness in September).

 

October                  Flotilla duties in continuation.

                28th        Part of escort for HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS, HM Cruisers CHARYBDIS and AURORA

                                with HM Destroyers WISHART, COWDRAY, BRAMHAM, ACHATES, VANOC, VERITY

                                and Polish destroyer ORP BLYSKAWKA during Malta aircraft delivery (Operation TRAIN).

 

November              Escorted military convoys on passage to Gibraltar for allied landings in North Africa with HM

                                Destroyer VENOMOUS and HM Corvettes COLTSFOOT, GERANIUM, JONQUIL and

                                SPIRAEA of Gibraltar Escort Force. (Operation TORCH:  For details see ENGAGE THE

                                ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and Naval Staff History).

                7th          Deployed as escort for HM Cutters HARTLAND and WALNEY during passage to Oran for

                                an operation to break into the harbour.

                8th          Came under shore fire during entry of Cutters and withdrew.

                                Took part in sinking of Vichy French submarines ACTAEON and ARGONAUTE in position

                                36.48N 00.59W. These submarines were attempting to interfere with landings.

                18th        Took passage to UK as part of escort for HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK and HM Aircraft

                                Carrier VICTORIOUS with HM Destroyer OPPORTUNE.

                                (Note these two major warships were returning to Home Fleet duties on release from TORCH.)

                                Nominated for refit and conversion to Long Range Escort.

 

December              Prepared for refit in HM Dockyard Portsmouth and Paying-off into Dockyard Control.

                14th        Paid-off and taken in hand for refit and conversion.

                                (Note : See following reference for details of changes made including removal of Forward Boiler

                                Room for use as additional fuel storage compartments.)

 

 1 9 4 3

 

January

                8th          Detached from JW63 on arrival at Kola Inlet after undetected passage.

                11th        Joined escort for return Convoy RA63 with same ships.

                21st         Remained with convoy on arrival at Loch Ewe after passage in extreme weather.

                23rd        Detached with HM Destroyers KEPPEL and WALKER when convoy arrived in Clyde.

                                Came under shore fire during entry of Cutters and withdrew.

                                (For details see RELUCTANT ENEMIES by W Tute).

                                Took part in sinking of Vichy French submarines ACTAEON and ARGONAUTS in position

                                36.48N 00.59W. These submarines were attempting to interfere with landings.

                18th        Took passage to UK as part of escort of HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK and HM Aircraft

                                Carrier VICTORIOUS with HI Destroyer OPPORTUNE.

                                (Note : These ships were returning to Home Fleet duties after release from TORCH).

                                Nominated for refit and conversion to Long Range Escort.

 

1 9 4 3

 

January                  Under refit and conversion.

to                            Nominated for service with 4th Escort Group on completion.

June                        (For further details see V AND W DESTROYERS 1917-45 by A Preston).

 

July                         Re-commissioned.

                19th        On completion of dockyard work prepared for work-up.

 

August                  Worked up for operational service with Group based at Londonderry.

 

September             Joined Group and deployed with HM Destroyers INCONSTANT, WHITEHALL, WRESTLER,

                                Polish ORP GARLAND and ORP BURZA for Atlantic convoy defence in support role.

                                (Note: Fourth Group also included HM Escort Aircraft Carrier FENCER to provide air cover

                                during passage of convoys threatened by U-Boat Packs

                                For details see THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D Macintyre, U-BOAT WAR IN

                                THE ATLANTIC (HMSO) and SEEK AND STRIKE.).

 

October                  Transferred to 8th Escort Group and deployed for duty with Home Fleet as escort for Russian

                                convoys.

                                Took passage to Russia to join escort for the first return convoy of winter season.

                                (Note : Group based at Greenock.)

                                (Operation FR -For details of all Russian convoy operations see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA

                                by RA Ruegg,, CONVOY ! by P Kemp, ARCTIC CONVOYS by R Woodman and THE

                                RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B Schoefield.).

                                (Note : The Group also included HM Escort Aircraft Carrier FENCER to provide air cover

                                during passage of convoys threatened by U-Boack Packs

                                For details see above references and U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO)

November

                1st           Joined Ocean Escort for Convoy RA54A at Kola Inlet with HM Destroyers MAHRATTA,

                                MATCHLESS, MILNE, MUSKETEER, SAVAGE, SAUMAREZ, SCORPION and

                                SCOURGE.

                13th        Detached from Convoy RA54A.

 

December              Home Fleet deployment in continuation.

                12th        Joined Ocean Escort for Russian Convoy JW55A with HM Minesweeper SPEEDWELL and

                                the Norwegian Corvette ACANTHUS.

                13th        Fleet destroyers joined Ocean Escort.

                22nd       Detached from JW55A on arrival at Kola Inlet.

                23rd        Joined Ocean Escort for return Convoy RA55A with HM Destroyer BEAGLE.

                                (Note : Fleet destroyers from JW55A also joined).

                30th        Detached from RA55A with HM Destroyer ASHANTI before arrival of convoy at Loch Ewe

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Home Fleet deployment in continuation.

                22nd       Joined Russian Convoy JW56B with HM Destroyers WRESTLER and WHITEHALL,

                                CYGNET, three minesweepers and two corvettes as part of Ocean Escort.

                26th        Fleet destroyers joined Ocean Escort.

 

February

                1st           Detached from JW56B on arrival at Kola Inlet.

                3rd          Joined return Convoy RA56 with HMS WHITEHALL, HMS CYGNET, four Corvettes

                                and three Fleet Minesweepers.

                                Embarked Russian naval personnel for passage.

                                (Note : The Russians wore part of the crews for warships being transferred on loan and under

                                refit in UK. These included HM Battleship ROYAL SOVEREIGN and some of the Ex

                                US Navy TOWN Class destroyers transferred to the RN in 1940).

                11th        Detached from RA56 en arrival at Loch Ewe.

 

March                    Home Fleet duties in continuation.

                27th        Joined Close Escort for Russian Convoy JW58 with HM Destroyers WHITEHALL,

                                WRESTLER. and four corvettes.

                29th        Main body of Ocean Escort joined JW58.

                                (Note : This included HM Cruiser DIADEM, two Escort Carriers and Fleet destroyers)

 

April

                4th          Detached from JW58 after arrival at Kola Inlet with unscathed passage.

                7th          Joined Ocean Escort for return Convoy RA58 with HM Destroyers BEAGLE, BOADICEA,

                                INCONSTANT, KEPPEL, VENUS, WALKER, WHITEHALL, WRESTLER and Home Fleet

                                units from JW58.

                12th        Detached from RA58 with destroyers.

                20th        Took passage to Kola Inlet with other Home Fleet ships for collection of empty ships lying in

                                north Russian ports and to collect personnel.

                                (For details see above references).

                28th        Embarked 12 US Navy personnel for passage and joined escort for return Convoy RA59 with

                                HM Cruiser DIADEM, HM Escort Carriers FENCER ,ACTIVITY, HM Destroyers

                                BOADICEA, ULYSSES, VERULAM, VIRAGO, WALKER, WHITEHALL, MARNE,

                                MATCHLESS, METEOR, MILNE, MUSKETEER, BEAGLE, INCONSTANT, KEPPEL,

                                WRESTLER, HM Corvette LOTUS and four RCN frigates.

 

May

                6th          Detached from RA59 on arrival at Loch Ewe after atrocious weather during passage.

                                Nominated for duty with Eastern Task Force during allied landings in Ncrmandy.

                                (Operation NEPTUNE - For details of activities prior to and during operation see OPERATION

                                NEPTUNE by K Edwards, LANDINGS IN NORMANDY, June 1944 (HMSO)

                                Took part in preparatory exercises.

 

June

                3rd          Sailed from Clyde as escort for HM Battleship RODNEY.

                4th          Operation delayed by 24 hours.

                5th          Passage from Solent through swept channel with HMS RODNEY.

                6th          Escorted HMS RODNEY during bombardments In support of assault.

                7th          Developed defect In boilers and returned to Solent for repair.

                                On completion deployed on interception patrol and convoy defence off beachhead.

 

July                         Channel deployment in continuation.

 

August                  After release took passage to Dundee for refit.

                15th        Taken in hand by commercial shipyard

 

September             Under refit.

 

October                  Post refit harbour and sea trials

                11th        On completion of trials prepared for operational service.

                                Rejoined Group for convoy defect and support in NW Approaches. Detached for Home

                                Fleet duties.

 

                31st         Escorted rms EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA and ss SCYTHIA with HM Destroyer BEAGLE

                                and HM Sloop CYGNET for initial part of passage to Murmansk as Convoy JW61A.

                                (Note: These two mercantiles were returning some 11,000 Russian Nationals who had

                                been captured in Normandy - See above references)

 

November

                2nd         Detached from local escort of JW61A when relieved by HM Cruiser BERWIOC, HM Escort

                                Carrier CAMPANIA and HM Destroyers CAMBRIAN, CAPRICE, CASSANDRA,

                                SAUMAREZ, SCOURGE and SERAPIS.

                                Resumed convoy defence In NW Approaches.

                                and HM Sloop CYGNET for initial part of passage to Murmansk as Convoy JW61A.

                                (Note: These two mercantiles were returning some 11,000 Russian Nationals who had

                                been captured in Normandy - See above references)

 

December              Deployed with Home Fleet for Russian convoy defence.

                1st           Detached with HM Destroyers BEAGLE and KEPPEL of Group to join HM Cruiser BELLONA

                                HM Escort Carriers CAMPANIA, NAIRANA, HM Destroyers CAESAR, CAMBRIAN,

                                CAPRICE, CASSANDRA, OBEDIENT, OFFA, ONSLAUGHT, ONSLOW, ORIBI, ORWELL

                                and BULLDOG as escort for Russian convoy JW62 supported by sloops and frigates.

                7th          Detached on arrival at Kola Inlet after unscathed passage.

                10th        Part of escort for return convoy RA62 with same ships.

                19th        Resumed duties in NW Approaches with Group.

                30th        Detached with HMS KEPPEL, HMS WALKER, HM Sloop CYGNET and joined HM Sloops

                                LAPWING, LARK, HM Corvettes ALLINGTON CASTLE, ALNWICK CASTLE and

                                BAMBOROUGH CASTLE as escort for Russian Convoy JW63.

 

 

1 9 4 5

 

January

                8th          Detached from JW63 on arrival at Kola Inlet after undetected passage.

                11th        Joined escort for return Convoy RA63 with same ships.

                21st         Remained with convoy on arrival at Loch Ewe after passage in extreme weather.

                23rd        Detached with HM Destroyers KEPPEL and WALKER when convoy arrived in Clyde.

                24th        Under repair to storm damage.

 

February                Under repair

 

March                    On completion deployed at Greenock for coastal convoy defence in Irish Sea and in NW

                                Approaches with Greenock Escort Force.

                                (Note : During this period SCHNORKEL fitted U-Boats were concentrating attacks at convoy

                                focal points in coastal waters. Anti-submarine patrols and the defence of coastal convoys

                                in these waters were strengthened. See above references.).

 

April                       Greenock deployment In continuation.

 

May

                6th          Deployed for escort of convoy to Iceland.

                7th          During passage to Iceland gave instructions to surrendering U-Boats to proceed to the

                                nominated assembly areas.

                                On return nominated for reduction to Reserve.

 

June

                26th        Paid off at Barrow and reduced to Reserve status.

 

July                         Placed on Disposal List for breaking-up.

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS WESTCOTT was sold to BISCO en 8th January 1946 for demolition by West of Scotland Shipbreakers. The ship arrived in tow at the breakers later that year.

 

S p e c i a l  N o t e

 

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE written by one of the ships’ company gives an account of the life of this ship but is spoilt by lack of dates and some factual errors when compared with official records held in the Public Record Office.

 

---

 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS WESTCOTT

by Don Kindell

 

Date convoy         Joined convoy      Convoy No.             Left convoy           Date convoy

sailed                     as escort                                                                                arrived

 

04/09/40            unknown                HG 043                     18/09/40              18/09/40

02/07/40            10/07/40                  HGY                          11/07/40              14/07/40

06/07/40            15/07/40                  BC A                        16/07/40              16/07/40

15/07/40            27/07/40                  HX 058                     30/07/40              31/07/40

02/08/40            02/08/40                  OG 040                     07/08/40              14/08/40

30/07/40            10/08/40                  HG 040                     14/08/40              14/08/40

20/08/40            20/08/40                  OB 201                     24/08/40              25/08/40

12/08/40            24/08/40                  HX 065                     27/08/40              27/08/40

03/09/40            03/09/40                  OB 208                     06/09/40              07/09/40

25/08/40            07/09/40                  SC 002                      11/09/40              10/09/40

18/11/40            22/11/40                  OG 046                     22/11/40              05/12/40

04/11/40            24/11/40                  SL 054                      26/11/40              26/11/40

02/12/40            02/12/40                  OB 253                     06/12/40              06/12/40

09/12/40            20/12/40                  HG 048                     23/12/40              23/12/40

28/12/40            29/12/40                  OG 048                     02/01/41              09/01/41

10/01/41            12/01/41                  OB 272                     14/01/41              14/01/41

02/01/41            14/01/41                  SC 018                      17/01/41              19/01/41

26/01/41            28/01/41                  OG 051                     29/01/41              08/02/41

17/01/41            30/01/41                  HG 051                     03/02/41              03/02/41

02/05/41            03/05/41                  OB 318                     08/05/41              10/05/41

25/04/41            09/05/41                  HX 123                     11/05/41              13/05/41

18/05/41            19/05/41                  OB 324                     24/05/41              27/05/41

09/05/41            24/05/41                  SC 031                      29/05/41              30/05/41

31/05/41            31/05/41                  OB 329                     05/06/41              05/06/41

25/05/41            02/06/41                  HG 063                     09/06/41              09/06/41

14/06/41            14/06/41                  OG 065                     17/06/41              28/06/41

30/05/41            18/06/41                  SL 076                      21/06/41              21/06/41

30/06/41            01/07/41                  OB 341                     05/07/41              06/07/41

24/06/41            04/07/41                  HG 066                     09/07/41              09/07/41

14/07/41            15/07/41                  OB 346                     18/07/41              01/08/41

10/08/41            22/08/41                  HX 144                     unknown            30/08/41

29/08/41            29/08/41                  OG 073                     02/09/41              13/09/41

15/08/41            03/09/41                  SL 084                      08/09/41              08/09/41

12/09/41            13/09/41                  OS 006                      17/09/41              03/10/41

05/09/41            18/09/41                  SC 043                      20/09/41              20/09/41

20/10/41            20/10/41                  ON 028                     23/10/41              03/11/41

15/11/41            15/11/41                  CT 006                      18/11/41              24/11/41

13/11/41            18/11/41                  TC 015                      21/11/41              21/11/41

11/01/42            12/01/42                  SL 097G                    17/01/42              24/01/42

05/04/42            05/04/42                  HG 081                     unknown            15/04/42

12/06/42            12/06/42                  HARPOON              16/06/42              16/06/42

13/06/42            23/06/42                  OG 085                     25/06/42              25/06/42

19/09/42            19/09/42                  HG 089                     25/09/42              30/09/42

02/10/42            02/10/42                  XK 001                     unknown            14/10/42

26/10/42            04/11/42                  KMF 001                  06/11/42              08/11/42

01/11/42            11/11/42                  KMF 002                  12/11/42              12/11/42

14/11/42            14/11/42                  MKS 001O               15/11/42              15/11/42

05/09/43            05/09/43                  KMS 026G               18/09/43              18/09/43

25/09/43            25/09/43                  MKS 025G               08/10/43              08/10/43

01/11/43            01/11/43                  RA 054A                  13/11/43              14/11/43

12/12/43            12/12/43                  JW 055A                  21/12/43              22/12/43

22/12/43            23/12/43                  RA 055A                  30/12/43              01/01/44

22/01/44            22/01/44                  JW 056B                  01/02/44              01/02/44

03/02/44            03/02/44                  RA 056                     11/02/44              11/02/44

02/03/44            02/03/44                  DS 050                      04/03/44              04/03/44

05/03/44            05/03/44                  SD 050                      08/03/44              08/03/44

27/03/44            27/03/44                  JW 058                     04/04/44              04/04/44

07/04/44            07/04/44                  RA 058                     12/04/44              14/04/44

28/04/44            28/04/44                  RA 059                     06/05/44              06/05/44

31/10/44            31/10/44                  JW 061A                  02/11/44              06/11/44

29/11/44            01/12/44                  JW 062                     07/12/44              07/12/44

10/12/44            10/12/44                  RA 062                     19/12/44              19/12/44

30/12/44            30/12/44                  JW 063                     08/01/45              08/01/45

11/01/45            11/01/45                  RA 063                     21/01/45              21/01/45

08/05/45            08/05/45                  DS 065                      12/05/45              12/05/45

12/05/45            12/05/45                  SD 065                      15/05/45              15/05/45